Apple Comes Out Against Arizona Anti-LGBT Bill

Apple is urging Arizona’s governor to veto a bill that critics say paves the way for widespread discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The bill’s proponents maintain it is a protection of religious freedom for business owners.

While Apple is well known for taking pro-LGBT stances, its voice could carry greater weight in Arizona, where the company is just opening a major new plant to produce sapphire materials.

Apple said that it expects the facility to create “more than 2,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and construction.”

However, Apple is far from alone among businesses opposing the measure, known as SB1062. More than 80 other businesses and organizations have signed on to a letter opposing the bill.

Update: NBC News is reporting that Arizona governor Jan Brewer is likely to veto the bill, citing economic risks of enacting it.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

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